"Actually, Jeanette Fulbright just hired me, so I'm free only on Mondays and Tuesdays."
Jessie looked at her, not having expected this.
"I think I should tell you," Sabrina said before Jessie could speak, "I don't have any experience working in a store, but I'm not usually clumsy and I catch on pretty fast."
Jessie couldn't stop her smile. The other woman's voice was soft and at times sounded uncertain, but she stood and moved with the air of a confident person.
"I might not need you every week," Jessie began, "but if you want to come by on Monday morning, I can tell you that day." Sabrina smiled and sighed.
"I'm Jessie, by the way," that woman said.
"I'm Bri Matthews."
"Well, Bri Matthews, I'll see you on Monday," Jessie said, and smiled again when Sabrina, looking utterly delighted, went on her way.
Sabrina stood outside the large home at the far end of town, wondering if this could possibly be the place. Jeanette had told her where the house was and that it was large, but Sabrina had not expected this.
She started up the walk, not in a hurry, and was surprised when a woman came out the front door. She was partway down the walk before she noticed Sabrina.
38 "Hello," the woman greeted and kept moving.
"Hello," Sabrina said in return, stepping aside so the woman could pass. Sabrina watched her walk away. Clearly she thought nothing of Sabrina's presence. This gave the newest resident of Token Creek courage to go up and knock on the front door.
"Did a young woman come-tall, with black hair?" Jeanette asked of Heather the moment she arrived home from the shop.
Heather, who had worked for Jeanette for many years, smiled before saying, "Bri is in the kitchen helping Becky."
"Oh," Jeanette said quietly, not having expected this. "How did that come about?"
"She heard Becky say she was going to make bread pudding and went in to learn how."
Jeanette had to smile. She had been quite sure she'd done the right thing in hiring Sabrina Matthews, and for some reason this only confirmed that fact. She went to the kitchen herself and found Sabrina rapt.
"How long does it take to bake?" Sabrina asked.
"It takes 45 minutes to an hour," Becky told the new houseguest. "On a warm day like this, probably closer to 45."
Both Becky and Sabrina saw Jeanette just then. Both women smiled at her, but they were different types of smiles. Becky's said she was amused but pleased. Sabrina's was excited and a bit uncertain of being found disturbing Becky.
"Did you learn how?" Jeanette asked, defusing the situation for Sabrina.
"Yes. My mother used to make bread pudding, but I didn't remember the recipe."
"It's one of my favorites," Jeanette said. "Are you ready for supper, Bri?"
Sabrina nodded. She'd not eaten much that day and was very
39hungry. It was a relief when Jeanette wasted no time and immediately led the way to the dining room where they were served.
"After supper," Jeanette began once they had plates full of pork, sweet potatoes, and applesauce, "I'll take you to the porch to meet my sister. She is not capable of taking care of herself. She won't respond to you, but you may speak normally to her."
"Has she lived with you long?"
"Ten years," Jeanette said. "Her sons, along with their wives, run Holden Ranch outside of town. You'll probably meet them on Sunday," Jeanette finished, taking for granted that Sabrina would attend the church service with her.
"Does your sister respond to her sons or to you?"
Jeanette thought it an astute question but had to shake her head
no.
"Her injury was quite severe. We didn't think she would live. She's not been herself since."
"I'm sorry," Sabrina said, thinking that it must be sad. It was like having someone die but still living with you. Sabrina wondered how Jeanette coped with such a situation.
"Did you get settled in your room?" Jeanette asked next.
"Yes, thank you. It's very pretty," Sabrina said, thinking of the rust and dark green decor and the light oak furniture.
"I'm glad you like it, and I meant it when I said to take your time finding a place to live."
"I asked Jessie at the mercantile if she could use me a few days a week, and she said to check with her on Monday. I may have to wait until Tuesday to look for an apartment."
"That's fine. Jessie is also a good one to ask. The mercantile is sometimes a hive of information. She might be able to tell you about apartments available in town."
The women went back to their meals, and Jeanette was given time to think a little more about who this young woman was. She was surprised that she'd looked for work on the days the dress shop was closed but still impressed. That, along with her questions about
40bread pudding, made Jeanette think she might have a lively one on her hands.
Sabrina would have laughed if she could have heard Jeanette's thoughts because they were all too true. Her mind was running with a thousand questions, but she didn't want to seem nosy or impertinent. Heather and Becky were easy to talk with, but Jeanette was a bit intimidating. She was obviously a woman of wealth, and Sabrina didn't think for one moment that she acquired this house, with its staff, by making and selling clothing a few days a week.
"All set?" Jeanette asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Sabrina answered, unaware her hostess had been studying her.
"My sister's name is Theta," Jeanette explained as they walked. "Heather sees to her every need. We'll just head right out here on the porch."
The large sunporch, technically a small conservatory, was warm and comfortable. Plants sat here and there, but the room was not overrun with them. In the midst of comfortable furniture in various shades of green sat a woman in a chair with high arms. Jeanette immediately began to speak to her.
"Theta, I want you to meet our houseguest. This is Bri Matthews. I just hired her to help me at the shop. Bri, this is my sister, Theta." Jeanette put a brief hand on her sister's shoulder, and Sabrina quietly greeted the silent, staring woman.
"It's nice to meet you," Sabrina said, and then glanced around. "This is such a pretty spot to sit and enjoy."
"Isn't it?" Jeanette agreed, taking a seat and inviting Sabrina to do the same. "I love this room. In mid-July or if we have Indian summer it gets a bit warm, but it still might be my favorite room in the house."
"Have you lived in Token Creek all your life?" Sabrina asked, feeling a bit more relaxed with Jeanette's easy manner.
"I came here after I was married. Theta and her family moved to the area a few years later."
41 "How nice to have your family near."
"Do you have family?"
"Just a sister, and we've lost all contact."
"Well," Jeanette had to say, sensing just a moment of pain in her new employee, "I hope you find family here."
Sabrina thanked her, her heart hoping for the very same thing.
"How are you?" Trace asked Cassidy, who, in her second month of pregnancy, did not like the smell of the toast Trace had accidently burned.
"I think all right," she said, not wanting to lose the breakfast she'd just eaten and having gone to sit on the front porch for some air.
Trace smiled. "You moved pretty fast there, Cass," he said, sitting down beside her. "I didn't know you could manage that."
Cassidy chuckled before saying, "I think desperation helps."
Trace put an arm around her. She was a bit thinner than when they'd married, and he wondered if she would put it all back as his sister-in-law, Meg, had done with her pregnancy. Meg had become delightfully round by the time Savanna had been born, and Trace had to admit that he wouldn't mind that for Cassidy at all.
"What are you thinking about?" Cassidy asked, and Trace realized she'd been watching him.
He smiled, knowing he was on thin ice but admitting, "I was wondering how fat you're going to get."
Cassidy's mouth opened and Trace laughed.
br /> "I knew the truth would get me in trouble."
"That's what I get for asking what you're thinking," Cassidy said, turning a cold shoulder to him.
Trace moved her hair and kissed her neck.
"Ask me what I'm thinking now," he invited.
Cassidy turned and looked into his warm, brown eyes and found she didn't have to ask at all.
42 "Okay, Bri," Jeanette said the moment they were ready to work on Thursday morning, "I want you to finish the pants you started yesterday and then press them."
"Is it going to trouble you to check the hem before I press it? I want to make sure."
"That's fine, Bri, but I'm not worried about your work."
Sabrina nodded and started in. Jeanette watched the look of concentration on her face, her mind on an event that had happened earlier that morning. Theta had experienced a little trouble with the stairs, and Sabrina had stepped in, taking one side with Heather on the other. Jeanette had not been present, but Heather had told her all about it.
"Do you ever think about the person who owns the legs that might wear these pants?" Sabrina asked.
"I'm not sure I do," Jeanette admitted.
"Oh, okay."
"What were you thinking?" Jeanette was too curious to let that pass.
"Well, just that they might be the legs of a father or a grandfather, and there might be children who sit on the man's lap. Or they might be a pastor's legs, and he might hold his Bible on his knees. Or I suppose he could be a bank teller with no time to sit down at all."
Jeanette had to laugh, not bothering to mention that she knew exactly who ordered the pants, and he was none of those things.
"What did I say?" Sabrina asked.
"I'm just laughing at your possibilities. I must admit that my mind never went that far."
"Clothing could probably tell interesting stories."
"I'm sure you're right," Jeanette had to agree. "I've always thought that of the walls of a home or bank but never of clothing." "Shoes too," Sabrina said thoughtfully. "All the places they go."
43Sabrina kept working steadily on the hem but added, "Of course, there is an awful lot of talking in this world as it is. I'm not sure we need to add shoes and clothing to it."
Jeanette had to laugh again.
"Am I talking too much?" Sabrina asked, suddenly looking very young.
"Not at all," Jeanette answered honestly, still chuckling a little. "I've been working alone for several months, and I just realized how much I've missed the company."
"Well, do tell me if I need to hush," Sabrina added.
"I don't think that will be a problem."
As it was there wasn't time to find out. Not five minutes passed before Brad and Trace Holden came in the door. It was time for Sabrina to meet Jeanette's nephews.
44
JEANETTE WASTED NO TIME. just as soon as she'd hugged the men, she did the honors. "Bri, please meet my nephews, Brad and Trace Holden."
The men had both removed their hats, and Sabrina stood to meet them.
"Are you twins?" Sabrina asked when the introductions were complete.
"No." Trace took this one. "He's much older."
Sabrina smiled, catching the teasing glint in his eyes and the way both Brad and Jeanette smiled.
"You found yourself a tall one," Brad said to Jeanette, but his smile was for Sabrina. "Makes you look shorter than ever."
A laugh escaped Jeanette before she could catch it, and then she tried to look outraged. It didn't help to look over at Sabrina, who had bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"I need Cassidy and Meg here," Jeanette said. "They're at my level."
"Cassidy is my wife," Trace offered, no small amount of pleasure in his voice. He had seen Sabrina looking confused. "And Meg is stuck with Brad."
45 "Stuck or not," Jeanette added, "they have the most adorable baby in the territory."
"A boy or a girl?" Sabrina asked of Brad.
"A girl-Savanna."
"That's a pretty name. How old is she?"
"Her first birthday is next month."
"Any steps yet?" Jeanette asked.
"No, but she's crawling everywhere."
The four talked for a few minutes more, and then the men said they had errands to run. Jeanette went back to her sewing machine, but for a few moments Sabrina sat still with her thoughts.
I didn't expect this, she said to the Lord again. She'd repeated this in her mind many times in the last 24 hours. They're so kind and welcoming. I miss Callie and Danny, but I don't feel alone.
It flashed through Sabrina's mind that they might want nothing to do with her if they knew of her recent past, but she pushed such thoughts aside. It did no good to think about it, and because she didn't know how these folks would respond if they knew, it was also an insult.
"How is that hem coming?" Jeanette asked.
"Almost done."
"What did you think of my boys?"
"I like them," Sabrina said, and then added quietly. "It makes me sad for your sister."
"It is sad," Jeanette agreed. "I think I'm glad that she doesn't seem to know what she's missing."
"And she's a grandmother," Sabrina realized.
"That was hard at first. Savanna was born, and all I could do was cry for Theta's loss. Now Meg just learned she's expecting again, and Trace and Cassidy's first is due early next year."
Sabrina would have asked if Jeanette thought that was going to be as hard for her, but a woman came in looking for some thread. From there, Sabrina did not know where the day went.
46 "Okay, Jessie," Jeb Dorn called when he came from the mercantile storeroom, "I think I've got things patched."
"I hate mice," Jessie said, frowning to make her point.
Jeb, who was Jessie's older cousin, smiled. Jessie had felt that way for as long as he could remember.
"I think what you saw is old. You know they don't come indoors in weather this warm."
"I can't think how I missed the signs this past winter."
"It helps to have things off the floor. You've done a good job with the shelves in there."
"Thanks, Jeb."
"Do you want me next week?" Jeb asked. He made furniture for a living but also helped Jessie when there was a need.
"I think I'm all right," Jessie answered. "I might have hired someone."
"Might have hired someone? How does that work?"
Jessie told Jeb about the young woman who had stopped in, and how Jeanette had just hired her. Jeb took the information in stride. Outside of mice, there was nothing Jessie Wheeler feared or couldn't turn her hand to. If she'd hired someone to help, it was in the best interest of her business. Jeb reminded her that he could help if this woman didn't work out, wished her a good afternoon, and went on his way.
"Savanna." Brad's stern voice halted the baby's movements. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. "I don't want you in the kitchen. Mama's not out there. Stay in here to play."
Expecting to be obeyed, Brad sat on the sofa next to Meg. He was
47not surprised to hear his daughter crawling toward the sofa before she pulled herself up and worked her way around to his legs.
"How's my girl?" Brad asked as he scooped her into his arms and kissed her neck. His answer was a round of giggles. Supper was over, and Meg admitted to being weary. She didn't say much while Brad and Savanna played and was near to falling asleep when the kitchen door opened.
"Are you up for some company?" Trace called in.
"Sure," Brad shouted back. "Come on in."
Meg sat up a little, and Brad realized what he'd done. "Are you going to be all right?"
"I think so," she said and then smiled. And my falling asleep in front of Trace ind Cass would be nothing new."
Brad's smile was compassionate. He was done in as well but always welcomed the company.
"How are you?" Cassidy asked after she'd settled in the living room and had a chance to look at her sister-in-law's weary face. "Just a l
ittle tired. How about you?"
"I took a nap today, so I'm not doing too badly."
In the time it took to say this, Savanna had made it to her Uncle Trace's legs, first crawling and then pulling herself up by using his pant leg. Trace was one of Savanna's favorite people-looking and sounding so much like her father-and clearly the feelings were shared. Trace took the little girl onto his lap and smiled into her face.
"How's my Savanna?" Trace asked.
The little girl could not sit still. She climbed Trace's chest until she could be close to his face, her little arms going around his neck. Trace hugged her close, the three other adults watching until the conversation went to the men's Bible study.
Chas Vick, one of the church elders, had started studying with the single men in the church family, ages 16 and up, and Rylan was working with the married men. Brad had expressed an interest in the qualifications for elder, and all the men were studying those passages.
48 Brad and Trace took some time talking about the last verse they had studied, and some minutes passed before they realized they were losing their wives. Meg's eyes were already closed, and even Cassidy was drooping.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Brad said, remembering they also had a baby to put to bed.
"Will do," Trace said, handing Savanna over and pulling Cassidy to her feet. Brad didn't try to rouse Meg. He put Savanna to bed and then came back for his expectant wife. By the time his own head hit the pillow, he was more than ready to sleep hard all night.
"How did Bri do today?" Heather asked Jeanette that night. They had just seen Theta into bed.
"Very well. She works fast and is easy to have around. She doesn't talk nonstop, but I can tell she's thinking."
"Do you think she's passing through, or will she stick around?" "I assumed she was staying. Why do you ask?"
Heather looked thoughtful before saying, "She's the kind of person we could all lose our hearts to, and it would be hard to have her leave." -
"Even if she does," Jeanette said reasonably, "we would still lose our hearts. We always do."
Heather had no choice but to agree, each woman heading to find her rest.
Sabrina blew out the lantern in her room, but sleep was far away. Without warning she was back working in Denver, her mind on the way it had been. For long minutes she tried to dispel the images, but they would not go away. Conversation and actions she never wanted to remember floated through her mind.